Fiber optic connector

ABSTRACT

A connector (10) includes two connector portions (12) and a boot (14). Each connector portion (12) includes a ferrule (78) and a latch (18). The latch (18) includes a distal end (24) and a proximal end (22). The latch (18) is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion (26). The boot (14) is mounted to the connector portions (12). The boot (14) moves longitudinally relative to the connector portions (12). The boot (14) causes the distal ends (24) of the latch (18) to pivot toward the ferrule (78) of each connector portion (12) as the boot (14) is moved away from the connector portions (12). Front housings (32) of the connector portions (12) can each be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the ferrule (78) without rotating the ferrule (78) or the boot (14), to change the polarity of the two connector portions (12). The spacing between the two ferrules (78) is adjustable. A holder (96) holds the connector portions (12). The holder (96) includes side slots (98). The connector portions (12) mounted to the holder (96) by moving laterally to the side slots (98). The holder (96) defines an area for receipt of a fiber optic cable (150) when the ferrule (78) is pushed in a direction toward the boot (14).

BACKGROUND

Modern optical devices and optical communications systems widely usefiber optic cables. A typical fiber optic cable includes one or moreoptical fibers contained within a protective jacket. Reinforcingstructures such as aramid yarns and/or fiber reinforced epoxy rods canbe used to provide reinforcement to the optical cables. It is wellunderstood that a typical optical fiber includes a glass fiber processedso that light beams transmitted through the glass fiber are subject tototal internal reflection wherein a large fraction of the incidentintensity of light directed into the fiber is received at the other endof the fiber. A typical optical fiber includes a glass core surroundedby a cladding layer having a lower refractive index as compared to therefractive index of the core. The cladding causes light to be confinedto the core by total internal reflection at the boundary between thetwo. The cladding layer of an optical fiber is often covered by one ormore polymeric coatings (e.g., acrylate) to protect the glass and tofacilitate handling of the optical fiber.

Fiber optic communication systems employ a network of fiber optic cablesto transmit large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively longdistances. Optical fiber connectors are an important part of most fiberoptic communication systems. Fiber optic connectors allow two opticalfibers to be quickly optically connected without requiring a fusionsplice. Fiber optic connectors can be used to optically interconnect twolengths of optical fiber. Fiber optic connectors can also be used tointerconnect lengths of optical fiber to passive and active equipment.

A typical fiber optic connector includes a ferrule assembly supported ata distal end of a connector housing. A spring is used to bias theferrule assembly in a distal direction relative to the connectorhousing. The ferrule assembly includes a ferrule that functions tosupport an end portion of at least one optical fiber (in the case of amulti-fiber ferrule, the ends of multiple fibers are supported). Theferrule has a distal end face at which a polished end of the opticalfiber is located. When two optical fibers are interconnected, the distalend faces of the ferrules abut one another and the ferrules are forcedproximally relative to their respective connector housings against thebias of their respective springs. With the fiber optic connectorsconnected, their respective optical fibers are coaxially aligned suchthat the end faces of the optical fibers directly oppose one another. Inthis way, an optical signal can be transmitted from optical fiber tooptical fiber through the aligned end faces of the optical fibers. Formany fiber optic connector styles, alignment between two fiber opticconnectors is provided through the use of an intermediate fiber opticadapter including an alignment sleeve that receives and coaxially alignsthe ferrules of the fiber optic connectors desired to be interconnected.For certain styles of fiber optic connectors, the optical fibers aresecured within their respective ferrules by a potting material such asepoxy.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention concerns a connector including two connectorportions each including a ferrule and a latch, each latch including adistal end, and a proximal end, wherein the latch is pivotable about anintermediate connection portion; and a boot mounted to the connectorportions, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connectorportions, wherein the boot causes the distal ends of the latch to pivottoward the ferrule of each connector portion as the boot is moved awayfrom the connector portions.

In another aspect of the invention, front housings of the connectorportions can each be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the ferrulewithout rotating the ferrule or the boot, to change the polarity of thetwo connector portions.

In a further aspect of the invention, the spacing between the twoferrules is adjustable.

In one example, a holder holds the connector portions, the holderincluding side slots, the connector portions mounted to the holder bymoving laterally to the side slots.

The holder defines an area for receipt of a fiber optic cable when theferrule is pushed in a direction toward the boot.

In one example, a ferrule assembly includes a ferrule, a hub and aspring. The ferrule assembly includes a front sleeve and rear sleevewhich together hold the ferrule, hub and spring.

In a further example, a connector includes: a) two connector portionseach including:

i) a ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub mounted together,and a spring, the ferrule assembly including a front sleeve and a rearsleeve, the front and rear sleeves mounted together with the ferrule endprotruding and the spring located in an interior area biasing theferrule toward an extended position;

ii) a front housing mounted to the ferrule assembly and including alatch, each latch including a distal end, and a proximal end, whereinthe latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion, whereinthe distal end includes a shoulder for mating with a latching shoulderof an adapter;

The connector further includes: b) a holder for holding the connectorportions, the holder including side slots, the connector portionsmounted to the holder by moving laterally to the side slots, the holderincluding a rearwardly projecting crimp support; and c) a boot mountedto the connector portions, the boot movable longitudinally relative tothe connector portions, wherein the boot causes the distal ends of thelatch to pivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion as the bootis moved away from the connector portions.

In one example, a clip holds the two connector portions at the desiredspacing. The clip can be used to position the connector portions at oneof at least two different spacings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example fiber optic connector inaccordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1 shown in the latchedposition;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1 shown in the unlatchedposition;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connector, showing the fronthousings of the connector portions being rotated to change the polarityof the connector;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 7 taken alonglines 8-8;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a front portion of the connector of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an intermediate portion of the connectorof FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an end view of the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 11, takenalong lines 12-12;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a front portion of the connector of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view in cross-section of the front housingof one of the connector portions;

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the front sleeve of one of theferrule assemblies;

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view in cross-section of the front sleeveof FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the rear sleeve of one of the ferruleassemblies;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the holder of the connector;

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the holder of the connector;

FIG. 20 is a front view of the holder of the connector;

FIG. 21 is front perspective view in cross-section showing one of therear sleeves mounted to the holder;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector along thecenterline;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are two perspective views of a duplex adapter for matingwith the connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the duplex adapter of FIGS. 23 and24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-22, an example connector 10 includes two fiberoptic connector portions 12 and a boot 14. Connector portions 12 eachinclude a ferrule 78 for holding a fiber optic cable. Connector 10 mayalso be referred to as duplex connector assembly or duplex connector.Connector 10 is matable to an adapter 200 shown in FIGS. 23-25. Adapter200 mates two connectors 10 together or mates another connector toconnector 10 for fiber optic signal transmission.

The two connector portions 12 of connector 10 are arranged in a parallelposition. Each connector portion 12 has a latch 18 including a latchbody 20 with a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24. Latch 18 pivotsaround a connection point 26 during latching and unlatching of latch 18.Latch 18 secures connector 10 to adapter 200. Boot 14 is movable awayfrom connector portions 12 in a longitudinal direction (Direction A inFIG. 2) causing pivoting movement of latch 18 about connection point 26(Direction B in FIG. 2). Such pivoting movement allows for unlatching ofconnector portions 12 from adapter 200. Boot 14 simultaneously movesboth latches 18 to allow for connector 10 to be unlatched from a duplexadapter or adapters with side-by-side ports 210. Latch body 20 includesa shoulder 28 which mates with latching shoulder 208 of adapter 200 tosecure the connector 10 to the adapter 200.

In the illustrated embodiment, each connector portion 12 defines an LCprofile, meaning that the connector portion 12 can mate with an LCadapter.

Boot 14 includes slots 50 which receive distal ends 24 of latch 18.Slots 50 and proximal ends 22 are angled so as to cause a lifting motionfor proximal ends 22 which results in a downward movement of distal ends24 of latch 18 when boot 14 is pulled longitudinally away from aremainder of connector 10. Compare FIGS. 2 and 3. A user can pull onboot 14 in a longitudinal direction away from the ferrules, and removethe connector 10 from the adapter 200, without directly engaging latches18.

Connector portion 12 includes a front housing 32 and a ferrule assembly76. Ferrule assembly 76 includes a ferrule 78, a hub 80 which holds theferrule 78, and a spring 82 which biases hub 80 and ferrule 78 towardfront housing 32. A front sleeve 88 and a rear sleeve 90 are mountedtogether with the ferrule 78, the hub 80, and the spring 82 housedinside to form the ferrule assembly 76. An internal tube 84 is providedextending from the hub 80. Tube 84 prevents epoxy from interfering withthe movement of the ferrule 78, the hub 80 and the spring 82. The rearsleeve 90 is received in holder 96 through a side slot 98. A rear crimpring 104 and a crimp sleeve 106 allow crimping of a cable 150 to holder96.

A clip 180 may be used to hold connector portions 12 in the desiredposition as shown in FIG. 1. If an alternative position of connectors 12is desired, such as to reverse the polarity of the connector portions12, clip 180 is removed, thereby allowing rotation of the front housings32 with the latches to an opposite side of connector 10. Such operationis desirable to change the polarity of connector portions 12 withrespect to boot 14. Once the front housings 32 are rotated, clip 180 isrepositioned to maintain the front housings 32 in the new desiredposition. Boot 14 includes similar slots 52 on an opposite side of boot14 so that boot 14 does not need to be rotated. Clip 180 can also beprovided with different dimensions so as to change the spacing betweenconnector portions 12, if desired. Clip 180 includes outer arms 182, andan inner arm 184, and shoulders 186 on each of arms 182, 184 forsecuring to front housings 32 of the connector portions 12.

In the illustrated example, front housing 32 mounts to ferrule assembly76. Ferrule assembly 76 mounts to holder 96. Holder 96, which mounts totwo ferrule assemblies 76, mounts to boot 14. Boot 14 is engageable withlatches 18 of the front housings 32. Cable 150 is crimped to holder 96.The individual fibers of cable 150 are fixed to the ferrules 78, such aswith epoxy.

Cable 150 includes an outer jacket 152, strength members 154, typicallyin the form of an aramid yarn, and two fibers 156, 158. Each fiber 156,158 includes an outer coating 160 and a bare fiber 162. Typically, thecoating 160 is removed and the bare fiber 162 is inserted into theferrule 78, and affixed, such as with epoxy.

Front housing 32 includes a key 34 for mating with an inner passage 202of adapter 200. Alignment sleeve 204 aligns the ferrules 78 to mate twoconnectors 10. Adapter 200 includes two ferrule alignment sleeves 204,and side-by-side passages 202 for each receiving a connector portion 12.

Front housing 32 includes latch 18 on an exterior, and an inner passage36 in the interior for receiving ferrule assembly 76. Inner passage 36includes a front shoulder 38, an inner slot 40 and a side slot 42.

Boot 14 includes an opening 54 for mating with structure on holder 96.Boot 14 includes an interior area 56, and a flexible rear portion 58.

Holder 96 includes a tab 100 for mating with structure on rear sleeve 90of ferrule assembly 76. Holder 96 includes a rear projection 102 forreceiving the crimp ring 104 and the crimp sleeve 106. Holder 96includes cross slots 108 for receiving proximal ends 22 of latch 18. Ashoulder 110 mates with opening 54 of boot 14 to allow longitudinalmovement of boot 14 relative to holder 96. Side slots 98 lead to ovalopenings 112. Oval openings 112 allow for lateral movement of connectorportions 12 to vary the lateral spacing. Oval openings 112 clip overferrule assemblies 76 to retain the assemblies with holder 96.

Holder 96 is provided with a lateral slot 114, and a rear stop 115 formating with rear sleeve 90 of each ferrule assembly 76.

Front sleeve 88 of ferrule assembly 76 includes a keyed surface 118 formating with a keyed surface 116 of hub 80.

Inner surface 122 of front sleeve 88 is press fit onto outer surface 136of rear sleeve 90. Rear sleeve 138 defines an inner passage 138.

Rear sleeve 90 includes a front collar 124 received in inner slot 40 offront housing 32. Rear collar 126 of rear sleeve 90 is received in slot114 of holder 96. Outer surface 128 of rear sleeve 90 includes a reduceddiameter portion 130, and a shoulder 132. Reduced diameter portion 130is received in oval opening 112. Oval opening 112 retains rear sleeve asthe side slot 98 is slightly smaller than reduced diameter portion 130.Notch 134 of rear sleeve 90 receives tab 100 of holder 96. Rear sleeve90 and the rest of ferrule assembly 76 is prevented from rotatingrelative to holder 96.

To assemble connector 10, cable 150 is inserted through boot 14, crimpring 104 and crimp sleeve 106. The fibers 156, 158 are affixed to theferrules 78 of the ferrule assemblies 76. The ferrule assemblies 76 withthe front housings 32 attached are mounted to the holder 96. The cablejacket 152 and strength members 154 are crimped to rear projection 106between crimp ring 104 and crimp sleeve 106. Although crimp sleeve 106is optional is some implementations. Boot 14 is pulled over holder 96until shoulder 110 of holder 96 is retained in opening 54 of boot 14,and proximal ends 22 of the latches 18 are in one of slots 50, 52 ofboot 14.

To switch polarity of connector portions 12, the front housings 32 arerotated in opposite directions so that the proximal ends 22 of thelatches 18 are moved between slots 50, 52. During polarity switching,boot 14 remains mounted to housing 96. Clip 180 is removed during thepolarity switching operation.

Front housings 32 with latches 18 can each be made as a one-pieceelement. Front housing 32 defines an LC profile for mating with ports210 of adapter 200. As noted, front housings 32 are rotatable about thelongitudinal axis of each connector portion 12 to change the polarity ofthe connector 10, without rotating the ferrule 78 or the ferruleassembly 76.

While the example connector 10 includes two fiber optic connectorportions 12 and a boot 14, it is to be appreciated that connector 10 caninclude a single connector portion 12.

In some examples, clip 180 is not used. Clip 180 can be used to providea certain spacing of connector portions 12. One spacing is sized at 6.25millimeters. See Dimension D of FIG. 9. Another spacing that may be usedis 5.25 millimeters. See Dimension C of FIG. 9. A different clip 180with a different spacing may be used, or the clip may be not used forthe closer spacing.

Boot 14 is shown as including a spring return feature. Pocket 140 ofholder 96 receives a spring holder 142 including a peg 144. Springholder 142 with peg 144 holds a return spring 146. Spring 146 biasesboot 14 toward the forward position of FIG. 2 when released by the user.When the user pulls boot 14 longitudinally away from the connectorportions 12, the spring 146 is compressed. Spring 146 moves the boot 14back to the rest position of FIG. 2 upon release by the user. Pocket 140of holder 96 is accessible through opening 148.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector comprising: two connector portionseach including a ferrule and a latch, each latch including a distal endand a proximal end, wherein each latch is pivotable about anintermediate connection point; and a boot mounted to the connectorportions, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connectorportions, wherein the boot causes each latch to pivot such that alifting motion of the proximal ends of each latch results in a downwardmotion of the distal ends of each latch, the distal ends of each latchbeing adapted to pivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion asthe boot is moved away from the connector portions.
 2. The connector ofclaim 1, wherein a front housing of each of the connector portions caneach be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the ferrule withoutrotating the ferrule or the boot, to change the polarity of the twoconnector portions.
 3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the spacingbetween the two ferrules is adjustable.
 4. The connector of claim 1,further comprising a holder for holding the connector portions, theholder including side slots that lead to oval openings, the connectorportions being mounted to the holder by moving laterally to the ovalopenings.
 5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the holder defines anarea for receipt of a fiber optic cable when the ferrule is pushed in adirection toward the boot.
 6. A connector comprising: two connectorportions each including a ferrule and a latch, each latch including adistal end and a proximal end, wherein each latch is pivotable about anintermediate connection point; and a boot mounted to the connectorportions, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connectorportions, wherein the boot causes each latch to pivot such that alifting motion of the proximal ends of each latch results in a downwardmotion of the distal ends of each latch, the distal ends of each latchbeing adapted to pivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion asthe boot is moved away from the connector portions; wherein the spacingbetween the two ferrules is adjustable.
 7. The connector of claim 6,further comprising a holder for holding the connector portions, theholder including side slots that lead to oval openings, the connectorportions being mounted to the holder by moving laterally to the ovalopenings.
 8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the holder defines anarea for receipt of a fiber optic cable when the ferrule is pushed in adirection toward the boot.
 9. A connector comprising: two connectorportions each including a ferrule and a latch, each latch including adistal end and a proximal end, wherein each latch is pivotable about anintermediate connection point; a boot mounted to the connector portions,the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connector portions,wherein the boot causes each latch to pivot such that a lifting motionof the proximal ends of each latch results in a downward motion of thedistal ends of each latch, the distal ends of each latch being adaptedto pivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion as the boot ismoved away from the connector portions; and a holder for holding theconnector portions, the holder including side slots, the connectorportions being mounted to the holder by moving laterally to the sideslots.
 10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the holder defines an areafor receipt of a fiber optic cable when the ferrule is pushed in adirection toward the boot.
 11. A connector comprising: a connectorportion including a ferrule and a latch, the latch including a distalend, and a proximal end, wherein the latch is pivotable about anintermediate connection point; and a boot mounted to the connectorportion, the boot movable longitudinally relative to the connectorportion, wherein the boot causes the latch to pivot such that a liftingmotion of the proximal end of the latch results in a downward motion ofthe distal end of the latch, the distal end of the latch being adaptedto pivot toward the ferrule of the connector portion as the boot ismoved away from the connector portion.
 12. A connector comprising: a)two connector portions each including: i) a ferrule assembly including aferrule and a hub mounted together, and a spring, the ferrule assemblyincluding a front sleeve and a rear sleeve, the front and rear sleevesmounted together with the ferrule end protruding and the spring locatedin an interior area biasing the ferrule toward an extended position; ii)a front housing mounted to the ferrule assembly to form a front of theconnector portion, and including a latch, each latch including a distalend, and a proximal end, wherein the latch is pivotable about anintermediate connection portion, wherein the distal end includes ashoulder for mating with a latching shoulder of an adapter; b) a holderfor holding the connector portions, the holder including side slots, theconnector portions mounted to the holder by moving laterally to the sideslots, the holder including a rearwardly projecting crimp support; c) aboot mounted to the holder, the boot movable longitudinally relative tothe holder and the connector portions, wherein the boot engages theproximal ends of the latch and causes the distal ends of the latch topivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion as the boot is movedaway from the connector portions.
 13. The connector of claim 12, whereinthe connector portions can each be rotated about the longitudinal axisof the ferrule without rotating the ferrule or the boot, to change thepolarity of the two connector portions.
 14. The connector of claim 12,wherein the spacing between the two ferrules is adjustable.
 15. Theconnector of claim 12, wherein the holder defines an area for receipt ofa fiber optic cable when the ferrule is pushed in a direction toward theboot.
 16. The connector of claim 12, further comprising a clip whichholds the two connector portions.
 17. The connector of claim 12, whereinthe boot includes angled slots on one side of the boot for receiving theproximal ends of the latches.
 18. The connector of claim 17, wherein theboot includes angled slots on both sides of the boot for receiving theproximal ends of the latches, as the connector portions are rotated tochange polarity without rotating the boot.
 19. The connector of claim12, further comprising a boot return mechanism including a return springfor biasing the boot toward the connector portions.
 20. The connector ofclaim 12, wherein the front housing including the latch is a one piecehousing.
 21. The connector of claim 1, wherein each connector portiondefines an LC connector profile for receipt in an LC adapter.
 22. Aconnector comprising: a) two connector portions each including: i) aferrule assembly including a ferrule and a hub mounted together, and aspring, the ferrule assembly including a front sleeve and a rear sleeve,the front and rear sleeves mounted together with the ferrule endprotruding and the spring located in an interior area biasing theferrule toward an extended position; ii) a front housing mounted to theferrule assembly to form a front of the connector portion, and includinga latch, each latch including a distal end, and a proximal end, whereinthe latch is pivotable about an intermediate connection portion, whereinthe distal end includes a shoulder for mating with a latching shoulderof an adapter, wherein the front housing including the latch is a onepiece housing, wherein the front housing including the latch defines anLC connector profile for receipt in an LC adapter; b) a holder forholding the connector portions in a parallel arrangement; c) a bootmounted to the holder, the boot movable longitudinally relative to theconnector portions, wherein the boot causes the distal ends of the latchto pivot toward the ferrule of each connector portion as the boot ismoved away from the connector portions.